Three sites on the table

The Sabah government wants the Kota Kinabalu central market out of the city centre. It has narrowed the search to three possible locations.

“The government has plans to relocate this central market from the middle of Kota Kinabalu”

The chief minister walks the ground

Hajiji Noor inspected two of the three sites himself, one along Likas Bay and one near Alamesra. He said nothing has been settled on either.

“The government will consider and decide which site is suitable for us to build the new Kota Kinabalu central market”

A third option, 20km out

The remaining candidate sits in Darau, roughly 20km from the city centre. It is the furthest of the three from where the market stands today.

Bigger than a wet market

The plan is for a dry market and a wet market, a centre for cultural, local and tourism products, a hawkers centre and a fish wharf, all in one development.

“What is important is that we ensure which site is suitable for building a fairly large and good market, not just an ordinary public market.”

What the land actually is

The Alamesra option is 40 acres of state land along Jalan UMS. The Likas option is mixed commercial land owned by the Local Government and Housing Ministry, next to Anjung Selera.

City hall writes it up first

Kota Kinabalu City Hall has to prepare a working paper before the Cabinet considers anything. Hajiji called the proposal early stage.

The old site is unanswered

Nobody has decided what happens to the current market ground once the traders leave. Hajiji said that call belongs to the city mayor.

“That proposal will come later from the city mayor on what will be done there. We don't know yet.”

No price tag yet

There is no cost estimate because the government is still only picking between plots of land.

“The value has not been determined. It is only the site for now.”